Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-04-29

it is natural TO believe that remorse is
possible to a man whom one has be-
lieved to be an angel in human form,
and Eva took a miserable comfort in
the thought that Tom would kneel
beside her coffin aud burst into tears
and passionate EXPLANATIONS Of regret,
which she perhaps might see from some
spiritual post of observation. So, having
put on hat and thick veil, Eva betook
herself round the corner to the nearest
druggist. The druggist was an old
German, benevolent-looking one.
with red cheeks and smiling mouth;
and when she asked for poison for rats,
he said $50 1" and beamed mildly upon
her.
Il want it very strong" said Eva
80 ~ said the druggist
"But not to give more pain than is
necessary" said Eve.
With a grave face he compounded a
powder and handed it across the count
CT. Eve took il, gave him the few cents
he asked, aud walked of. Once home
she went straight to her room and I'M
dressed herself and retired to bed. tax
ing the powder with her. Once or
twice she tasted it with the tip Of her
tongue, hoping that it was not very dis
agreeable Then, finding it sweet, she
bravcly swallowed it.
1T is over" she said. ooh. Heaven
forgive me, and forgive Tom" And
then she laid herself down upon her
pillow. Just as she did so the familiar
sound Of latchkey in the door below
startled her. Tom never came home
at noon; but there he was now. No
one else but Tom would walk in that
cool way, and he was calling her.
Eve Eve-Eve-wh are you?'
Never before had she refused to an
swer that voice. Why had he come to
torture her dying moments? Hark.
Now he was bouncing up stairs. He
was in the room.
What is the matter? Are YOU i'll,
Eve?"
mo. "said she, family "only tired. "
"Ah! You look tired, little one,
said he. Il came home to get the over
coat suppose you've found out by
this time that the coat in the hall is not
mine. | wore Johnson's overcoat home
from the office last night 10y mistake;
he is anxious about it. He aSked me if
there was any one in the house who
would be likely 10 NEEDLE with papers
in the pockets / SAID that | thought
not | hadn't jealous wife-eh!
What's the matter, Eve?'
ooh. Tom cried Eve, Historically.
ooh, Tom! say it again? 1t was not
your coat? Oh, Tom, kiss me-.
"Why, what is the matter, EveP'
cried out Tom. You must be ILL"
Then Eve remembered all "Oh,
am a wicked woman, Tom?' she cried.
There were letters in the pocket-love
letters read them. ] thought You
were false to me. II took poison
Tom. I'm going to die, and / long
to live so. Oh, Tom, Tom, save met
"Yes-yesr cried Tom. ooh good
Heaven! What poson?'
Hoffman will know, l bought it
from him. Perhaps he can save me-"
cried Eve
And away went Tom, white rs death,
to the druggists round the corner He
burst into the shop like whirlwind.
The lady" he gasped. The lady
who bought poison here an hour ago!
She took il by mistake! Can you save
her?' Is there an antidote? She is dy-
ingw
mo, no. said the old German. "Be
calm! Be at rest! No, no. She can
not of dat! When a lady asks me
for pc son dat VIII not turn a rat black
in de face, / say to myself, $50" l
shmells somesing; and | give her in de
paper shust little sugar and some
sings. She could take a bound. Go
home and tell her so. l never sells
poison to womens dat cry and do not
wish de rat to become black in de face
So-be calm.
So Tom flew home again. and Eve
rejoiced; and hearing that Johnson was
a bachelor who admitted himself to be
engaged, she did not rip the patch of
his coat, as he had at first intended to
do.